Fred Thompson’s rise as the darling of the conservative Republican base had a bit of cold (holy) water thrown on it in the form of criticism from Focus on the Family founder James Dobson.

In a U.S. News and World Report story, Dobson says “Everyone knows he’s conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands forâ€¦ [But] I don’t think he’s a Christian; at least that’s my impression.â€

In the same piece, Dobson appears to give his blessing to Newt Gingrich, lauding him as â€œthe brightest guy out there.â€